Visualisation

[chrisd]

Jack Nicklaus could visualise the shot like watching a colour video apparently.

I try and do it just by looking down the line and try to feel the swing needed. It takes a second to do

 

[richart]

I visualise the ball splitting the fairway or landing on the Green but it never seems to happen that way

I visualise the ball finishing in the trees or in a hazard, and it always seems to happen. Perhaps there is something in this visualising malarkey.:thup:

 

[standrew]

What do you class as visualisation? If you assess that you want to aim towards the left bunker to account for the wind, or play a low runner because you're in the trees then I'd argue that's visualising the shot.

Well youre visualising all the time really, but a lot of seeing the target in your head as well. I find that harder though.

Ive taught music for years and the principal sense is aural not touch e.g. playing the piano. Same with golf too much focus on the instrument not enough on visual.

 

[chrisd]

Well youre visualising all the time really, but a lot of seeing the target in your head as well. I find that harder though.

Ive taught music for years and the principal sense is aural not touch e.g. playing the piano. .

As a poor (ability) keyboard player could you expand on that a bit?

 

[Beezerk]

Short game yes, not good enough to visualise a tee or iron shot just yet :thup:

 

[standrew]

As a poor (ability) keyboard player could you expand on that a bit?

most players only focus on the playing rather than the sound basically. when you sing you dont focus on the technicalities of your diaphragm or larynx etc.

 

[G_Mulligan]

Just walk up and hit it, step up and whack it, don't think just do it.

All sound advice, but only once you have assessed the situation, lie, distance, weather, conditions, hazards, match situation, etc. etc. Nothing wrong with taking a little time to select the right club, decide on the shot you want to play, and then spend just a few seconds visualising the desired result. Then just atep up and hit the shot without a second thought.

As others have said you can do this while approaching your ball or when your partners are playing (unless you are first) it does not take long and is an important part of your pre-shot routine.

Practice visualisation at the range first and it will soon become second nature on the course and takes no longer than a practice swing.

Interestingly there is little evidence that positive imagery is directly related to improved performance. However, negative imagery (hazards/rough) is strongly related with decreased performance and the best way to avoid negative imagery is by replacing it with positive. Positive imagery also increases confidence, which indirectly improves performance so win, win all round.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am doing a lot of work this year on pre-shot and quietening the monkey brain. A lot of my issues come from having too many swing thoughts. Making sure I have a robust pre-shot routine (that is as far away from slow play btw as you can get - ALL done while others are playing), and that my thoughts are designed to keep the monkey brain in its cage

 

[Foxholer]

I certainly visualise the shot. Not sure whether my concept of visualisation is the same as other folk's, but it's along the Nicklaus approach.

It takes very little time - a second or 2 - most of it being done in the 5-10 yards before i get to the ball - provided it's a decent lie!

Just walking up and hitting doesn't work for me. That would normally result in at least another shot being required - something that takes a lot longer than a second or two of preparation!

 

[SocketRocket]

It's assessing the shot that everyone does, not visualising.

I disagree. Some people have the ability to visualise better than others, they can almost see a video in their mind of the ball flight, the shape it should take and where it lands. They can also (Like Jack) visualise an image of themselves making the shot and the swing they need for it.

I appreciate that some cannot do this but that doesn't mean no one can.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I disagree. Some people have the ability to visualise better than others, they can almost see a video in their mind of the ball flight, the shape it should take and where it lands. They can also (Like Jack) visualise an image of themselves making the shot and the swing they need for it.

I appreciate that some cannot do this but that doesn't mean no one can.

I think you misunderstood me. My post was in response to one that says "everyone" visualises a shot. What I was saying is that everyone assesses the shot, visualising is different and while some can\do, not everyone does.